Jointhe Fray

Summer style is all about casual ease. Layers are shed, buttons undone and socks don't see the light of day for weeks on end. So the idea of cut-off shorts makes perfect sense. It certainly explains why so many labels took a stab at the fringe-bottom styles this season. Michael Bastian makes a snappy pair, with a peek-a-boo pair of boxers sewn in, for $540. But even he jokes that in such lean times, he can barely afford them. So why not take matters (and an old pair of pants) into your own hands. We found this pair of Ralph Lauren reds on eBay for a cool ten bucks.

Nantucket reds were first produced by Murray's Toggery Shop, adapted from the New York Yacht Club's uniform.